Akhilesh scraps over two dozen of Mayawati`s schemes

Lucknow: The SP government in Uttar Pradesh on Friday scrapped 27 schemes and programmes launched by former Chief Minister Mayawati, majority of which were named after dalit icons including her mentor Kanshi Ram,besides doing away with reservation in government contracts for the SC\STs.

A cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who took over the reins of the state in March, decided to abolish reservation in government contracts implemented on June 30, 2009 by Mayawati government, an official spokesman here said.

21 per cent and 2 per cent reservation was given respectively to members of the scheduled castes and tribes in government contracts worth Rs five lakhs. Later through a government order, the Mayawati government had increased this limit to Rs 25 lakh.

The spokesman said the cabinet decided that all sections should be given the equal rights in government contracts so as to maintain competition and quality in construction works.